It is important to maintain current software on University computers. To that end, we are planning to update all campus computers to Office 2016 for the fall 2017 semester. The look and feel of Office 2016 remain unchanged from version 2013 as the ribbon remained unchanged. There are new features and options available in 2016. A listing of what is new in 2016 can be found on the Microsoft web site.

Students, faculty, and staff that have obtained Office through the Office 365 (refer to instructions for installing Office on home computers) web site have already been running the newer version for a few months. The file format did not change between the 2013 or 2016 versions.

We do plan to have information to the campus so that faculty or staff that wish to go to Office 2016 in their offices prior to being pushed out to the campus can do so. We are finalizing those steps and will send a faculty/staff message with those steps once completed. This will allow faculty/staff to use Office 2016 in their offices prior to the cut over for the campus scheduled for fall 2017.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the campus going to Office 2016 for the fall 2017 semester, please contact ITS User Services at 785-670-3000 or by sending email to support@washburn.edu.

We have modified hours during the winter break for ITS technology support. We will be monitoring voice mail for 3000 and also checking and following up with tickets sent to support@washburn.edu. Our hours are as follows:

Please welcome Bryan Carney to Washburn as a new employee in User Services. Bryan fills the position of Technology Support Technician I and will eventually be located in Petro Allied Health Building as their building technician.

Bryan is A+ certified in CompTIA A+ Essential hardware and Software and CompTIA A+ Remote Support Technician. His recent work experience was working as a sale consultant for Office Max. Prior to that position, he worked for EnsurePC as a computer repair technician and sales. Bryan graduated from Washburn Institute of Technology with a technical certification in Computer Repair and Networking.

Bryan will spend part of the summer with his office located in Bennett Computer Center room 106 while he learns processes and procedures. Prior to the start of the fall semester, he will be moved to Petro where he will be permanently located. His office will be located in the School of Nursing department. I know that the School of Nursing as well as all of Petro is excited to have Bryan hired and to start working.